The Opportunity
Monash University and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) launched the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship in March 2019, a world-class Ph D program to develop the nation’s future energy leaders.
The Scholarship has been established to honour the memory of AEMO’s founding Chief Executive Officer, energy reform leader and Monash alumnus Matt Zema, and is designed to support the next generation of leaders to meet Australia's energy sector challenges. It was created with the support of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council and in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The Zema Scholarship aims to create a cohort of energy professionals with advanced multidisciplinary knowledge across engineering, IT and business and economics. The Ph D program is intended to deepen student’s expertise, unlock their full leadership potential and help them gain exposure to Australia’s national energy industry. The scholarship provides a $50,000 per annum stipend plus the opportunity for a paid internship with AEMO, and will support the successful applicant for the approved duration of their Ph D candidature, to a maximum of three-and-a-half years.
Candidates interested in a Masters by Research in the below topic areas, will also be considered. Potential research areas and supervisors.
These are example projects listed under the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship. If you would like to contact a supervisor and design an energy related research project, this would be considered. Multidisciplinary projects will be given priority.
For more information please visit www.monash.edu/energy-institute/students/scholarships/zema-energy-studies-scholarship.
1. Forecasting the future of indoor air
Supervisors: Professor Yolande Strengers and Professor Sarah Pink (Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Faculty of Information Technology and/or Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture)
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have historically been a key driver for peak electricity demand, and are closely tied to comfort expectations in Australian households and businesses. However, in recent years air quality concerns resulting from the Covid pandemic, bushfires, allergens and pathogens have started to shift Australian’s expectations for indoor air and comfort. In addition, a desire to move away from natural gas will drive further demand for heat pumps. This project will develop future-focused design ethnographic methods to better understand how people’s expectations for indoor HVAC systems, air quality, and thermal comfort are changing. The project will inform energy forecasting and scenario planning for the Australian energy sector. Eligible candidates must have a degree in the social sciences or cognate discipline (e.g. anthropology, sociology, geography, design).
Candidate Requirements

• You can apply to pursue one of the Zema scholarship projects or contact a willing supervisor and design your own project. See the list of potential supervisors at Monash. Please note that researchers receive many requests for supervision. Make sure your email is specific for the Zema Scholarship and describes the research area/project you wish to work in, and provides details of your academic record. If the researcher agrees to be nominated on your application, you should proceed to the next step.
• The process for applying for a Ph D scholarship at Monash varies for each faculty, but in general you will need to find a supervisor (an academic at Monash) and then submit an expression of interest with your faculty, after which you will be invited to make a full submission.

Information Technology
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or To Apply
After you have received an invitation to apply, you can submit an application via the online portal.
The deadline for submitting full applications is 31 October 2024, and so you should be making contact with potential supervisors by early October.
Enquiries: energy-institute@monash.edu
Applications Close: Thursday 31 October 2024, 5:00pm AEDT
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